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 BASEBALL

SANDPOINT — For the second-straight year, the 4A Region 1 best-of-3 series is going to a deciding game.

Unlike last year, the top seeded Hawks will be at home this time around.

Justin Dennison hit a two-run double in the first inning and Tristan Clift drove in two runs for Lakeland (9-11-2), which beat Sandpoint 9-3 in Game 2 of the best-of-3 game series at Memorial Field on Thursday.

“I’m very happy with the way my team picked themselves up from the very poor outing we had in Monday’s game (a 12-4 loss to Sandpoint at home),” Lakeland coach Jason Bradbury said. “They came out tonight with something to prove, and didn’t let up all game long.”

Ezra Grigg, who has missed the entire season due to an accident, allowed one run in four innings of relief for Lakeland.

“He’s been out under severe concussion protocol since a snowboarding accident in January,” Bradbury said. “He’s been working his way back and just got cleared to play yesterday. He never faltered in the biggest game of our season. He just went out to relieve Cameron (Harris), and pitched four very solid innings. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

The winner of Friday’s game at 4 p.m. at Gorton Field in Rathdrum advances to the state tournament next Thursday to Saturday at Vallivue High in Caldwell.

Sandpoint is 9-15.

Lakeland 301 131 0 — 9 12 1

Sandpoint 011 100 0 — 3 7 2

Cameron Harris, Ezra Grigg and Colton Aragon; T. Authier, C. Davis (4), D. Bailey (7) and T. Brackett, C. Dodd (4). W — Harris. L — Authier.

HITS: LL — Taylor 2, Bell 2, Silva 2, Clift 2, Dennison 3, Tierney. Spt — Thielbahr 2, Garcia, B. Brackett, Stockton 2, Bocksch. 2B — Dennison, Bell, Thielbahr."

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